Lee, Lynn Deliver Double for Orediggers

BOYDS, MD — Colorado School of Mines dominated all weekend to secure a national championship double, beating MiraCosta 24-0 in the Division III final at the Collegiate Rugby Championship. The Orediggers claimed a XVs national title in December. 

Mines started Sunday with a semifinal win over last year's National Champions, Endicott, who they also beat in the Houston final. The Orediggers only gave up one penalty try to Endicott, with center Ayana Mejorado, flyhalf Aliya Lynn and fullback Piper Lee scoring tries. Lynn and Mejorado kicked two conversions to seal the match 19-7 and solidify Mines’ spot in the finals against MiraCosta.

The Spartans had a tougher first match, barely edging Colby, 15-14, to advance to the final. Two of the tries scored came from wing Alora Borrego, with the third from flyhalf Selassie Ilasa. 

The final was electric for the Orediggers, with Lee snagging a hat trick. Lynn joined the action with another try, while Mejorado assisted with two conversions. 

At the end of the tournament, Molly Cancian of Baldwin Wallace held onto the top spot for most tries and points scored for the division with 11 tries and 55 points. Mejorado from Mines also held onto the lead in conversions with nine. 

The MVP went to Piper Lee, who keeps adding to her trophy cabinet after being awarded the DIII Player of the Year in January. Lee notched nine tries on the weekend, good for second in the division in points and tries to Cancian. 

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2026 All Tournament Team

Molly Cancian, Baldwin Wallace, Graduate

Lauren Thomlinson, Drury, Junior

Colleen Mitchell, Endicott, Sophomore

Aliya Lynn, CO School of Mines, Senior

Heavenly Afaese, MiraCosta, First Year

Marlee Garrison, MiraCosta, First Year

Piper Lee, CO School of Mines, Sophomore

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